A visit by a Hindu religious delegation to the Eiffel Tower has triggered a political and workplace controversy in France after staff representatives alleged that female employees were asked to leave certain positions while members of the delegation passed through.
The Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed on Monday after workers staged a walkout over the reported treatment of female staff.
BAPS, or Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, has denied allegations that women were denied access to the landmark or that it sought to discriminate against female employees.
The controversy has nevertheless prompted strong reactions from French political leaders, with officials across the political spectrum calling for an explanation.
What happened at the Eiffel Tower?
According to staff representatives, around 100 members of the Hindu organisation were visiting the Eiffel Tower when some female employees were allegedly asked to leave their workstations or avoid areas through which the delegation was passing.
Diane Davoine, a staff union representative, told Reuters that women were allegedly asked to leave their workplaces so that male employees could take their positions.
She cited the example of a female welcome agent who was allegedly removed from operating an elevator and replaced by a male colleague.
Davoine said some female employees felt “humiliated” by the instructions.
Workers subsequently met management and staged a walkout, temporarily forcing the Eiffel Tower to close.
Eiffel Tower operator acknowledges concerns
The landmark’s operator, Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE), acknowledged that the delegation had requested arrangements that would limit interactions with female employees.
SETE president Ariel Weil said such conditions should not have been accepted.
He reaffirmed the Eiffel Tower’s commitment to equality between men and women and France’s republican values.
The landmark was scheduled to reopen on Tuesday after the strike.
BAPS denies discrimination
BAPS has rejected the suggestion that women were denied access to the Eiffel Tower or that the organisation sought to discriminate against female employees.
In a statement, the BAPS Hindu temple in Paris said the visit had been coordinated in advance with the Eiffel Tower teams and took place during normal opening hours.
BAPS said that, to its knowledge, access to the Eiffel Tower was never denied to anyone.
The organisation nevertheless apologised to anyone who may have been hurt or inconvenienced by the situation.
It said it respected the concerns raised by the workers and took them seriously, while reiterating its commitment to mutual respect and service to others.
The dispute therefore hinges partly on a distinction between what BAPS says it intended and what Eiffel Tower employees say happened during the visit.
French leaders demand answers
The controversy quickly moved beyond the workplace.
Former French prime minister and 2027 presidential contender Gabriel Attal said that no culture or belief should be allowed to dictate women’s place in France.
Equality Minister Aurore Bergé similarly said France does not ask women to step aside.
Far-right National Rally leader Marine Le Pen also criticised the reported restrictions, saying the full truth should be established.
Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the visit.
He said equality between women and men must apply everywhere in Paris, including its historic monuments.
Île-de-France regional president Valérie Pécresse said she was shocked by reports that female employees had allegedly been asked to stay out of the delegation’s path.
Investigation and reimbursement planned
Following discussions with employees, management promised a thorough review of how the visit was organised and said it would draw the necessary conclusions.
Visitors who had purchased tickets for the affected period were also to be reimbursed.
The incident has also prompted discussions about regulating future VIP delegations, with union representatives saying an agreement could be examined in the coming weeks.
BAPS events continue across France
The Eiffel Tower controversy comes as BAPS has been organising a series of religious events across France.
Thousands of devotees have participated in events and processions, including a women’s-led procession in Bussy-Saint-Georges and a River Seine boat procession attended by more than 5,500 devotees from around the world, according to BAPS.
The organisation is known internationally for its Hindu temples, including the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, and the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.
For now, the Eiffel Tower row remains centred on competing accounts of how the private visit was organised and how female employees were treated.
The investigation announced by Paris authorities is expected to help establish what happened — and whether the arrangements made for the delegation crossed the line between accommodating a religious group and compromising workplace equality.
